Join Us in Orlando
Expo Hours
| Tuesday Oct 15 | 9 AM — 5 PM |
| Wednesday Oct 16 | 9 AM — 5 PM |
| Thursday Oct 17 | 9 AM — 4 PM |
Venue
Orange County Convention Center
9800 International Drive
Orlando, Florida 32819
About the Expo
North America's largest metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing event heads to Orange County Convention Center in October 2024. FABTECH provides a convenient "one stop shop" venue where you can meet with world-class suppliers, see the latest industry products and developments, and find the tools to improve productivity, increase profits and discover new solutions to all of your metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing needs.
North America's Largest Metal Forming, Fabricating, Welding and Finishing Event
September 13, 2023|10:30 am – 11:30 am (ET)
Exploring Welding Apprenticeships and Talent Development
We invite you to be a part of an enlightening panel discussion that explores the realm of welding apprenticeships and their pivotal role in shaping the future of skilled welders. Uncover the advantages of practical training, the evolving requirements of the welding industry, and the pathways to a fulfilling career in welding.
PANELISTS
Event Speakers
Joe Young
Senior Manager Workforce Development, AWS Foundation, 2009 WorldSkills Silver Medalist
Joe Young, the Senior Manager of Workforce Development for the American Welding Society Foundation, spearheads efforts to address welding workforce development challenges by implementing and supporting effective strategies and initiatives to cultivate a skilled and diverse welding workforce. With over fifteen years of experience in the welding industry, Joe’s expertise is extensive and multifaceted. He has held various positions, including a combination welder, welding instructor, and welding inspector. His passion, expertise, and dedication drive positive change and opportunities for aspiring welders and industry professionals alike.
Brent Weil
Subject Matter Expert, Jobs for the Future (JFF)
With a wealth of experience exceeding two decades, Brent possesses a diverse background encompassing workforce development, staffing, public-private partnerships, and education and training solutions. His expertise spans multiple industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and telecommunications. Currently serving as the Subject Matter Expertise at Jobs for the Future (JFF), a nonprofit organization, Brent collaborates closely with AWS to facilitate the establishment of apprenticeship programs for employers. These programs play a pivotal role in recruiting, training, and retaining highly skilled certified welders, fostering a more skilled and sustainable workforce in the welding industry.
Matt Scott
Welding Instructor and Department Chair, Portland Community College
Matt Scott serves as the Department Chair and Welding Instructor at Portland Community College. His journey into the world of welding began in high school when his metal shop instructor directed him to gain experience at a nearby fabrication shop. This initial step propelled him toward engagements in bridge construction, eventually steering him toward his lifelong aspiration within the piping sector. With a teaching and testing career spanning over three decades, he derives great satisfaction when his students come back to recount their triumphant tales of accomplishment in the field.
Samuel Chance
Welding Engineer , Vermeer Corporation
Developing welding and design best practices for agricultural, earthmoving, and wood grinding products, Sam specializes in non-destructive testing and design for welding automation. He currently serves on the AWS D16 Committee, AWS B2B Subcommittee; and is the United States Delegate to Commission XV, “Design, Analysis, and Fabrication of Welded Structures” at the International Institute of Welding and was recently elected as the Chairman of IIW XV-C Sub-Commission on “fabrication.”
Kevin Joustra
Engineering Specialist-Dev/Res , Caterpillar
Kevin Joustra works in a fast-paced environment within Caterpillar’s Manufacturing Technology and Solutions division. Currently, he serves as a brazing, soldering, and resistance welding subject matter expert and works on developing new welding and joining technologies for Caterpillar. In addition to traditional weld engineering duties, he works with local schools to develop talent pipelines for the welding and fabrication industry and organizes the Illinois State SkillsUSA welding competition.
